Saturday, May 23, 2015

Growth: Whattoexpect.com says “At 37 weeks pregnant, you've got what is officially considered a full-term baby, even with three weeks to go. That means if your baby was to leave the wet nest this week, he or she would likely thrive. But it doesn't mean he's finished growing — in fact, he's still packing on about a half an ounce per day or half a pound a week. At this age, the average fetus weighs about 6.5 pounds — boys, though, are likely to be heavier at birth than girls. And here's a bit of boy baby trivia to back that one up: Moms carrying boys tend to eat more than moms carrying girls (a foreshadowing of teenage refrigerator raids to come). That makes it a little crowded in your uterus, so he’s probably not kicking as much, though he’s probably stretching, rolling a bit and wiggling (all of which you’ll be able to feel!).” Kade is in the final developing stages and practicing for life outside of mama’s belly!

My Symptoms: Other than an itchy belly, the only “pregnancy symptom” I can think of is heartburn. I’m not sure if it’s actually heartburn, but it’s a burning sensation right below my boobs. It only bothers me while I am sleeping. Super weird. I remember having it with Jase & asking the midwife about it, but she said it’s nothing to worry about and probably heartburn. It reminds me of when I used to chafe from my sports bra while training for a marathon. It’s not miserable or super uncomfortable or anything, so I just try to ignore it.

These Braxton Hicks are serious business!!

Weight/Baby Bump: Up about 23 lbs. Stretch marks are really starting to come on stronger around the center of my MASSIVE torpedo belly. I wear the support band every chance I get because this belly is heavy! Several people have commented that I have dropped, but I can’t tell other than the fact that my belly sits all the way on my legs when I am sitting down.

Gender: Can’t wait to meet out little man!

Maternity Clothes: Mom hooked me up with a 30% off coupon for Kohl’s and some maternity clothes were already 40% off, so I got a pair of shorts and 2 tops for $22. Y’all know that is a STEAL for maternity clothes- they are ridiculously expensive. A few people commented how nice I looked, so it must have been a much needed addition to the wardrobe.

Sleep: Still sleeping okay but waking up WAY early. Not cool. Trust me, I know what’s coming and would love to soak up some good sleep now!

Movement: Definitely a different movement, but still as frequent. I can see the baby moving from the outside of my belly ALL OVER the place. I’ve been able to see that for a while obviously, but since he’s really running out of room, I can actually feel him with my hand from the outside & see body parts (although I don’t know what’s what) poking out. It is so neat and still blows me away! I haven’t found anyone who is quite as impressed with that as I am, but a lady checking me out the other day said “Oh my goodness!! I can really see your baby- even from the outside.”

Appointment: I had an appointment on Wednesday (36 weeks & 6 days) with one of the doctors I haven’t seen yet. I’m trying to hit them all before Kade comes. He was SUPER nice! Jonathan and I have been praying that the Lord will give us exactly the doctor he wants on call, but I feel confident all the way around. It’s such a great practice. My blood pressure was 109/65. Doctor said I was measuring right on (I always measured ahead with Jase) & his heartbeat sounds really good and strong. He is in the right position so far & his head is pretty low. No dilation or effacement yet. (At first I was a little bummed, and more surprised than anything- I thought some of these BH might be doing something- but honestly, I have a feeling it’s going to happen really quickly this go round. Plus, I’m pretty hard core about full 40, so he can keep on cooking.) They tested me for GBS and he said if I’m negative I won’t have to have antibiotics again. Appointment went great & I head back in next week.

Accomplishments: Washed some newborn clothes. Annnnnnd that’s pretty much it. Ha! Jonathan has been consumed so I have had a pretty unproductive week (as far as baby stuff goes) other than taking care of Jase, washing dishes, cleaning, & making meals.

Work Outs: Jon was really busy in the basement this week so I didn’t get to go to classes. Actually, I did go to one yoga class, but I left halfway through it. It was a new-to-me routine & I couldn’t do half of it because it was on your back stuff. Normally I just take time to do pelvic rocks and get in some deep breathing during moves I can’t modify, but the music was loud, upbeat, and NOT relaxing. Hated to be rude, but I just wanted to go home, so I did.

Goals: Put the car seat in the car. Wash the rest of the newborn clothes. Pack hospital bags. Make goody bags for nurses. Nursery if we can get to it? Sounds familiar….ha!

Thoughts: I talked to a few OBGYN friends who all said it sounded like Jase’s head was turned just enough to make the anterior lip swell and prevent him from coming vaginally. They all agreed I’m an excellent candidate for VBAC (which was reassuring), but I feel fully confident in the Lord’s plan for this sweet baby’s arrival anyhow.

I also asked about drinking raspberry leaf tea or taking evening primrose oil, and all agreed there is not enough evidence to support it. People swear by it, but I read a few things that made me decide it’s better to err on the side of caution and just wait.

Seeing a 2 in front of the # of weeks left in the countdown…I mean, we are getting seriously close!

Sunday, May 17, 2015

Growth: Babycenter.com says “Your baby is still packing on the pounds — at the rate of about an ounce a day. He now weighs almost 6 pounds and is more than 18 1/2 inches long (about the size of a head of romaine lettuce). He's shedding most of the downy covering of hair that covered his body as well as the vernix caseosa, the waxy substance that covered and protected his skin during his nine-month amniotic bath. Your baby swallows both of these substances, along with other secretions, resulting in a blackish mixture, called meconium, will form the contents of his first bowel movement.

36 weeks: Your baby is about the size of a head of romaine lettuce

At the end of this week, your baby will be considered "early term." (Full-term is 39 to 40 weeks. Babies born before 37 weeks are pre-term, 41 weeks is late term, and those born after 42 are post-term.)”

My Symptoms: I can tell my body is getting ready because I can feel more pelvic pressure & he is hanging a little lower. Sometimes I have some slight discomfort down below too where I can really feel his head pressing down. I don’t think he has dropped quite yet, but my belly does rest on my legs when I am sitting. Wearing the prenatal cradle really helps with support. I can also feel my hips widening! Any time I feel any discomfort, I do some type of stretch to counteract the pressure (pelvic rocks, tailor sitting, etc.) and it helps. I wouldn’t say I am nesting, but I also don’t need naps during the day anymore. No swelling anywhere. Stretch marks are coming on a little heavier right around the center of my belly. And my belly has been a little itchy a few times, so I am trying to keep it moisturized. Appetite is back to normal now. Overall I still feel really great!! This week was a little tougher mentally/emotionally because I felt a little overwhelmed with how much I want to accomplish before he comes, but physically I feel good. No rush for him to come quite yet. I’m definitely not miserable (even though I’ve had a few people tell me I look that way??) and I know even these last few weeks he is doing some important developing.

Weight/Baby Bump: Up about 20 pounds total. I’m pretty much all belly this time. I am carrying differently this time for sure- definitely carrying alllllll in front. My belly seems like it is absolutely stretched to the max though & it’s hard to imagine it still has some stretching to do over the next 2/3-5ish weeks. I have always thought it would be cool to have twins (and they run pretty heavily on both sides of our families), but I honestly can’t imagine what my belly would look like with two in there! It looks like a twin belly now and there is only one! Ha!

{Ignore the dirty basement mirror selfie. I felt like the lighting was really capturing the full essence of the torpedo, so I didn’t want to miss a photo opp.}

Here’s the only other picture from the week. Love these sweet girls!

Gender: Precious little fella.

Maternity Clothes: I do not like maternity clothes. I still wear quite a few “normal” clothes with some maternity pieces thrown in. (Yes, the same ones over and over.) I am ready to fit in normal clothes. It drives me bonkers that I can’t find t-shirts to fit. Jonathan’s fit and I wear them sometimes, but I get me belly oil all over them when I do.

Movement: Fetal movement has definitely changed as he is running out of room. He is still a mover though!! It is the coolest thing.

Sleep: I’m not sure if it’s because I’m going to bed a tad earlier or what (I spend about an hour each night reading before bed), but I am waking up WAY earlier than normal. Like, before my alarm clock early.

And I have been having CRAZY dreams that are packed with lots of random faces of people I know/have known.

Cravings/Aversions: Give me ALL the popsicles!! This time of the year with Jase, I had already delivered so I didn’t experience any summer heat. I know it’s not nearly as hot as it’s going to get (shout out to all you mamas who carry through the summer), but I have had a few “hot flashes.” I bought some popsicles for the kiddos to eat while playing outside at Jase’s party and forgot to get them out of the freezer in the garage. But don’t worry, they aren’t going to waste. I eat 1-2 a day.

Appointment: No appointment this week. I see the doctor next week at 36 weeks & 6 days, and then of course weekly from then on. I always look forward to appointments so I’m excited to go on Wednesday!

Accomplishments: The bedding came in, and it is GORGEOUS. Super nice, very classic. Really happy with it. I also brought everything up from basement we will need in the early days. I have started getting the house ready & set up the sleeping area set up in our bedroom. Wrote and mailed all thank you cards.

Best Pregnancy Moment of the Week: Jase’s birthday party! Also, we have been around a few younger kids who were REALLY interested in my belly. I had the cutest little conversations with them.

When Jonathan & I talk to Jase about Kade, he lifts up his shirt and pats his own belly. He still doesn’t quite get it, but it melts my heart to hear him say “baby Kade.” And he definitely recognizes everything that is for a baby anywhere we go.

Work Outs: We had a busy week with AdvoCare so I only went to yoga twice and took pump once. I need to start walking more. I always feel tons of pressure when I walk.

Goals: Put the car seat in the car. Wash newborn clothes. Pack hospital bags. Make goody bags for nurses. Nursery if we can get to it? If not, no biggie- there is time for that one.

Thoughts: I cannot WAIT to meet this sweet baby!! Being a mom makes my heart so full & happy. I have NEVER been more fulfilled than I am being a wife and mother…it truly is incredibly rewarding, and even moreso when you recognize it as your #1 ministry. It’s also exciting to know I could go into labor any time from now up till 5 more weeks. That just makes it more fun not knowing when he will come! We cannot WAIT to snuggle our sweet boy.

So thankful to everyone for the love, support, encouragement, and prayers as our family grows.

Monday, May 11, 2015

Jase turned T-W-O on May 8th…and WOW, what a FAST two years this has been!

We celebrated with his second birthday party at our house on Saturday, May 9th. We had the party at 3:30 so it would be after naptime for all my friends with littles. Since he is SO into cars/trucks/planes/trains right now, we decided it would be the theme for his party. My mom was a tremendous help, as always. She is the queen at bringing Pinterest parties to life, but honestly, she was the creative party planning queen before Pinterest was even cool. I sure wouldn’t be able to pull off a shower/party without her help. Any of the neat details & cute ideas? All her.

My BFF since 6th grade (Chelsi) came up from Tifton, and it was SO good to see her. She looked GORGEOUS (new job & new house are looking great on her) and she was a huge help in the kitchen getting all the food ready. LOVED seeing her!!

I know Jase and all of his buddies & the kiddos had a blast running around, but honestly, I think I enjoyed the party as much or more than he did. I thought my heart might burst with pure joy and thankfulness as I looked around and spent a few minutes catching up with everyone. I pray daily that our children will be surrounded by people who love the Lord and point them to Jesus, and God has been SO faithful to answer that prayer in our friends and family. For me, it was such a laid back afternoon full of FUN, laughs, and lots of loving on our sweet Jase, and my heart was so full. And since I have been so awful about remembering to take pictures lately, I bought a brand new SD card and decided to LOAD that baby up!

He was just NOT that into opening presents. We tried to keep him over there, but hey, he’s two. The big kids enjoyed “helping” and I can assure you he has been LOVING playing with all the new toys ever since! They’ve been all over the living room ever since and he is having a BLAST! Thank you all for the sweet gifts.

The little “photo booth” was such a fun idea! (This one was my idea, as you can probably tell seeing that it doesn’t match the theme of the party. Ha!) Everyone’s pictures were so cute!! Of course I forgot to get a family one of us…but here are some of the sweet families who helped us celebrate! (One thing is for sure…LOTS of testosterone. Little boys everywhere! The girls were definitely outnumbered.)

Fun with the fam after everyone left!

Thank you, thank you, thank you to everyone who came out. It was a beautiful day filled with lots of sweet memories. And don’t worry, next time we will either have a shuttle up and down the driveway or just go to the park instead! Haa!